Published August 23, 2005
Baby left in car while mother was at work By AMANDA O'TOOLE REGISTER STAFF WRITER Authorities announced Tuesday that a baby girl found dead in a vehicle in Mount Pleasant was left by her mother when she went to work. Mount Pleasant police said Danelle Stainbrook forgot to take her daughter, Peyton Burchett, to her baby sitter before she went to work at 6 a.m. Thursday at the Henry County Health Center's food service department. Stainbrook found Peyton dead when she got off work about 2:35 p.m., as she was leaving the parking lot of the health center. Peyton was still in her car seat. No charges have been filed in connection with the incident. Peyton's first birthday would have been Wednesday.	Make sure children are out of the vehicle Here are some child-safety tips: • Do not leave a child in an unattended car, even with the windows down. • Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies. • Always lock your car. If a child is missing, check the car first, including the trunk. Teach your children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area. • Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat and when the child is put in the seat, place the animal in the front with the driver. Or place your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car. • Make "look before you leave" a routine when you get out of the car. • Have a plan that your child care provider will call you if your child does not show up. Source: www.kidsandcars.org
Officials at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, the funeral home arranging Peyton's memorial service, said the family is distraught and horrified by the accident. Peyton's father, Jake Burchett, also is from Mount Pleasant. According to the Kids and Cars Web site, www.kidsandcars.org, at least 26 children have died from hyperthermia in vehicles across the country in 2005. A 2002 study revealed about 39 percent of similar cases were a result of a caretaker's forgetfully leaving the child in the vehicle. A Perry woman, Kari Engholm, made the same mistake in 2001, finding her 7-month-old daughter, Clare Engholm, in the back of her minivan after work. Research has shown temperatures within a vehicle can rise to more than 120 degrees when outside temperatures are 75 degrees. Temperatures reached 90 degrees in Mount Pleasant the day Peyton died. An autopsy is being done to confirm whether elevated body heat was the cause of death. Peyton's family has asked that people pray for them at their own churches, according to the funeral home. A register will be available to sign from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, 709 E. Mapleleaf Drive, Mount Pleasant, and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut St., Mount Pleasant. Memorials may be made to the Peyton Burchett Memorial at the funeral home.